Bloods 12/27/10

Well the 3rd chemo was just as bad as the 2nd but this time I made sure I took the sickness pills and kept taking them. I was still weak the whole week but I did drag myself to bowling as it was the position night and Christmas party and I wanted to be "normal"
The bloods came through all ok and this week has been good. Ive felt good and I'm back on my diet Im going to be eating right and I do need to find out the right foods to eat. I spoke to someone today and he said I shouldn't be eating Soy when I have Her 2 positive so I defo need to find out more about this so I'm prepared for the future.


Felling so much better this week and now there is only two more weeks before the last chemo and then I have to wait 4 weeks before they start radiation and I hope this is the start of a very long future and a very long life.

Date 12/6/10		Date 12/13/10	Date 12/20/10	Date 12/27/10
Result	Value	Value	Value	Value
WBC White Blood Cell	8.6 (6.6)	6.2 (8.6)	5.4 (6.2)	9.5 (5.4)
Hgb Hemoglobin	11.5 (10.4)	11.0 (11.5)	10.2 (11.0)	11.8 (10.2)
HCT	34.9 (32.9)	32.9 (34.9)	30.3(32.9)	36.5 (30.3)
PLAT Blood Clotting	137 (223)	135 (137)	207 (135)	221 (207)
ANC 1st defender against bacteria	5.9 (3.9)	3.9 (5.9)	3.3 (3.9)	6.3 (3.3)

3rd Chemo

Well here we are again 3rd one down and 1 left to go. Quiet boring really sat there for couple of hours. Had my laptop and a book.


Putting the needle in the medi-port was the worse part of it. Think she was just a bad shot.


Do have a really bad head and a bad taste in my mouth but mints and ice cream I'm sure will work haha


I did find out today that the clinic will not help me with a payment plan and want me to come up with $5800 by the next chemo 10th Jan...Told her we don't have it now what.
She also thinks that the insurance company will not cover one of the drugs that I need for the next year ....and it costs $4500 each treatment and I need it every 3 weeks... but shes not sure so why mention it and cause stress. If they don't cover it then Ill be getting on a plane and moving back to the UK and living with my parents. Fingers crossed it does not come to that so time will tell.


Had my bloods done they are a little low but ok for now.

Date 12/6/10		Date 12/13/10	Date 12/20/10
Result	Value	Value	Value
WBC White Blood Cell	8.6 (6.6)	6.2 (8.6)	5.4 (6.2)
Hgb Hemoglobin	11.5 (10.4)	11.0 (11.5)	10.2 (11.0)
HCT	34.9 (32.9)	32.9 (34.9)	30.3(32.9)
PLAT Blood Clotting	137 (223)	135 (137)	207 (135)
ANC 1st defender against bacteria	5.9 (3.9)	3.9 (5.9)	3.3 (3.9)

Friday 17th

Well what a week. Thursday I went bowling and was feeling really good. So decided Friday I would go to the Gym and I did. I didn't push it but I worked as hard as I could. Felt like my old self again. Kinda strange when you think Monday is the 3rd Chemo and Im going to feel like crap for the next week.


I really hope it isnt as bad as the second one was as Id like to go bowling its position night and Christmas party and I would like to be there.


Well hope everyone has a good week and I'll check in Monday and let you know how it went. 

Another Blood Test

Monday came around fast again...Time for more blood work. Went to have the blood work done and I asked the nurse about the bumps on my head and becoming spotty she said it was a reaction to one of the chemo meds. She said I'm one of the people that is getting all the reactions out there lol 


I do feel good this week so far a little tied but other then that on top of the world. If it wasn't so cold I'd feel even better lol


Next Monday is the 3rd chemo time is running by so quickly before I know it January will be here and the last chemo and boy I hope whoever is dealing the cards of fate is going to give me a break and let us have the rest of our lives in some kind of peace and happiness.

Date 11/8/2010		Date 11/15/10	Date 11/22/10	Date 11/29/10	Date 12/6/10	Date 12/13/10
Result	Value	Value	Value	Value	Value	Value
WBC White Blood Cell	6.2 (8.6)	13.9 (6.2)	8.3 (13.9)	6.6 (8.3)	8.6 (6.6)	6.2 (8.6)
Hgb Hemoglobin	12.1 (12.0)	12.5(12.1)	11.9(12.5)	10.4 (11.9)	11.5 (10.4)	11.0 (11.5)
HCT	36.7(37.1)	38.3(36.7)	35.8(38.3)	32.9 (35.8)	34.9 (32.9)	32.9 (34.9)
PLAT Blood Clotting	245 (302)	235(245)	151(235)	223 (151)	137 (223)	135 (137)
ANC 1st defender against bacteria	3.6(5.7)	9.5(3.6)	5.6(9.5)	3.9 (5.6)	5.9 (3.9)	3.9 (5.9)

I know that I am avoiding going out and keeping to myself which is fine by me just getting through these months and then onward and upward.
Have a good week everyone

Freaky Friday

Well I have to say Friday was a better day. Thursday night I went bowling with my bald head under a cap and to see peoples faces...Shock as no one new. All those weeks of bowling even after 3 surgeries and no one guessed boy I was good. They were all very good asking me if I was ok and how they had no idea. Mission accomplished...
I bowled really well too..
Friday I felt much better like my old self had a few issues with not being able to go to the toilet but hey what you going to do. Then on my head I have head blisters appear and spots on my face so I will ask the Doctor on Monday if this is normal and just perhaps a side affect as they itch like hell.
I did go bowling again Friday night with my husband and bowled on his team and had some good scores, one of the games I just missed 200 and ended up with a 190 which is good for me anyway.
The more I think about there should be a Foundation somewhere for women who cannot afford Breast exams the more I wish I new how to do it. There must be so many women out there that cannot afford to have this done that are walking time bombs. With cancer the way it is everyone deserves the right to be helped and not just be come a statistic and leave their kids behind with no one. More education is needed for women. We are not all the same I didn't find my lump and never would have with boobs like mine so how many more are there out there. How many women out there that need help?
If you could set up a foundation to raise money and offer women the chance of an exam. Get advertisements out on the TV, Radio, Magazines, Church groups telling them importance of doing this and then offering them a way to get it done. So it doesn't cost them anything. If anyone reading this knows a way then let me know and Ill keep thinking trying to find a way...
Well its the weekend a time of relaxing and guess what I had icecream whooo

Better Day Thursday

Well today is another day and I'm feeling a little better got some of the sparkle back still not 100% But I went to the Mall for the first time in months and got some new pants. I wore my little knitted hat, and thought to myself so what. If someone says something then Ill got back with a one line....


Having this whole Breast Cancer thing changes everything that you have been doing. I sat there thinking, I've not brought a fitness magazine since I found out, I'm not running my life around a diet and working out. I'm just existing not planning just going from Monday to Monday waiting for the last chemo and then on to the Radiation. Ive not even watched Biggest Looser this season, which I've always done doesn't seem important anymore. 


I know I will get through this and hope by next Christmas we will look back and raise a glass and say we did it we made it so whats next.


I wish there was away to help other people get through this whole Breast Cancer thing, some people run races and do bake sales. Which is great raising money but what about when someone is told they have Breast Cancer that feeling of despair and hopefulness all mixed in together. It's never going to be easy telling someone news like. If I was clever I would write a book explaining how I felt how I know they will get through it and not to worry and try and get the point across your not the only one and not all Breast Cancers are the same. Just because someones friend had it or an auntie everyone is different and treatment is different and peoples bodies react in so many different ways. Being strong and positive is got to be the best way to go about it and not putting your head down, lift it up stand proud and walk the walk.   

Everyone says your a strong person

Every time I receive an email when people have found out that I have Breast Cancer. They always say your a strong person and you will get through this and nothing to worry about.
Well you know there is everything to worry about. I have no family here just my Husband and my two kids. My parents are back in the UK along with my other relatives, who are just as worried but they are there and I am here.
Does everyone think your strong because you don't show your feelings and prefer that people not just keep asking me how I am, or ask my Husband as If I cannot speak for myself. I'm not disabled, I am still working and running a very large company along with the help of my wonderful managers and business partners we just do what we do.
When I still had my hair I could go out and go to the Gym and work out because no one new I had Breast Cancer I could still be me, now when I go out people look (so I think) as I stand there in a hat which I would never wear so they are wondering why.
I don't follow fashion, I don't wear make-up and I don't dress to impress so how am I going to pull off wearing a wig...I have ordered one to see if I can handle it but ya know if I feel stupid I'm not going to wear it. People will just have to live with my G.I Jane look and get over it. I am very lucky that I work from home so I don't have to face the big wide world only when I have to go shopping and most of my business isn't done face to face.
I have been reading a forum base in the UK with people with Breast Cancer and its interesting to see how its handled in the UK, and I wonder if being the age that I am and if I was still in the UK would my lump have been found, operated on and chemo started. I never felt my lump and it was found during a mammogram. The treatment seems to be the same but the finding of the lump might have been another story. The only good think if I was in the UK I would still be covered by the NHS where as here I have to find the money by way of a Deductible in my Insurance coverage. 
I do sit here wondering if there is something I could do to make changes to the way you are told that you have a lump and what might or could happen. I have spoken to a few people that where told in the ugliest way  and in a very clinical way, whilst I realise there is no easy way to tell someone they have cancer there must be a more positive way of doing it. Even down to the leaflets you are given some of them are just mind blowing. 
My father read in the Daily Mail this past Saturday about Jennifer Saunders and her battle. I decided to look it up on the online Daily Mail and found it to be so right and a great piece or writing. I am posting the link here:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1322482/Adrian-Edmondson-struggling-help-wife-Jennifer-Saunders-cancer.html
Well I hope I've not bored you too much and the spelling isn't too bad 
Have a good week

Another Week

Well what a week last week was and boy was I sick. I went Monday 6th for the blood works and they were looking better. Even though still feeling rough as a dog. The doctor said it will get worse so I'm really looking forward to the next chemo thats for sure.


My hair is nearly all gone and even the stubble is falling out so I guess soon I will have a nice shinny head, but what you going to do. Hair is just hair and it doesn't fine you. It does hurt when you look in the mirror and see a totally different face staring back at you.


The Doctor gave me a new prescription for sickness pills. When I went to collect them the pharmacist said the Insurance Company wouldn't cover the cost so I would have to pay $260.00 for four pills! So declined those pills and the pharmacist called the doctor and asked for something else. So I collected so new pills today and it just cost $18 for a months worth. Strong foods still turn my stomach so I'm being careful as I don't really want take more meds then I need.


  

Date 11/8/2010		Date 11/15/2010	Date 11/22/2010	Date 11/29/10	Date 12/6/10
Result	Value	Value	Value	Value	Value
WBC White Blood Cell	6.2 (8.6)	13.9 (6.2)	8.3 (13.9)	6.6 (8.3)	8.6 (6.6)
Hgb Hemoglobin	12.1 (12.0)	12.5(12.1)	11.9(12.5)	10.4 (11.9)	11.5 (10.4)
HCT	36.7(37.1)	38.3(36.7)	35.8(38.3)	32.9 (35.8)	34.9 (32.9)
PLAT Blood Clotting	245 (302)	235(245)	151(235)	223 (151)	137 (223)
ANC 1st defender against bacteria	3.6(5.7)	9.5(3.6)	5.6(9.5)	3.9 (5.6)	5.9 (3.9)

We will see how it pans out and what will be will be. I heard the news today that Elizabeth Edwards was finally taken by Breast Cancer. She had battled for so long and was a brave lady it just a shame that nothing could save her in the end.

Wednesday

Well here we are again a day of sickness and feeling like a truck ran me over. Was woken at 4am with that dreaded feeling of going to throw up. My body hurting all over. Chemo isn't so bad its the shot they give you the day after that brings with all the sickness and making your body feel just so bad and your bones hurting and the nasties taste in your mouth ever.


I did go out this afternoon I didn't wear a hat to cover my bald head why should I ? I am still me and if people don't like and want to stare thats there call not mine. G.I Jane eat your heart out lol


I will defo get through this I just wish it was sooner then later.